Stichting Welzijn Ouderen Soest

What Stichting Welzijn Ouderen Soest does

Stichting Welzijn Ouderen Soest (SWOS) is a Dutch nonprofit foundation established in 1986, headquartered in Soest, Netherlands, that provides welfare services to seniors aged 65+ residing in the municipality of Soest and Soesterberg. Its mission is to enable elderly residents to live independently at home for as long as possible, while reducing social isolation. The organization is governed by a voluntary board (Chair L. Swart, Secretary M. Smit, Treasurer H. Topper, Member S. Vegter) and led by Director Twan Beckers. SWOS holds ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) status from the Dutch Tax Administration and operates as a licensed welfare provider under contract with the municipality of Soest.

SWOS delivers services through three physical meeting centers (Ontmoetingscentrum Klaarwater, Overhees, and Soesterberg/De Basis), a self-serve online activity platform (agenda.swos.nl), and home visits. Its service portfolio spans four categories: practical support (meals, door-to-door transport, seniorenbus, personal alarms, household help, garden maintenance, administrative assistance, tax help, tandem bike/riksja rides); expert advisory (elderly advisors, exercise brokers, caregiver support, dementia case coordination, home technology guidance); social activities (clubs, exercise groups, dining programs, museum trips, bingo, cultural outings); and community signal systems (Signaalpunt for reporting concerns about vulnerable residents). The organization is supported by a small professional team of approximately 16–18 staff and an extensive volunteer base of 300–400+ individuals.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure: approximately 60% of revenue derives from a contracted service agreement with the municipality of Soest, and approximately 40% comes from participant contributions for activities and services (typical pricing ranges from €1.25 for coffee to €9.75 for a three-course meal, with annual club fees of €43.75–€111 for specific activities). Distribution is community-led through physical centers, outreach, and local business sponsorship (e.g., seniorenbus sponsorship displayed publicly). Technology is minimal: SWOS maintains a content website, an online activity calendar, a bimonthly email newsletter, and Facebook/LinkedIn profiles, with no proprietary AI or digital platform. The 2024–2027 Strategic Policy Plan and ongoing volunteer recruitment campaigns indicate a mature organization focused on operational sustainability rather than growth or transformation.

Name

Stichting Welzijn Ouderen Soest

Legal name

Stichting Welzijn Ouderen Soest

Website

https://swos.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stichting Welzijn Ouderen Soest (SWOS) is a Dutch nonprofit foundation providing welfare services to seniors aged 65+ in the municipality of Soest and Soesterberg, delivered through three meeting centers, 16 staff, and 300–400 volunteers covering practical support, advisory, social activities, and home technology guidance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior welfare services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK)

Keywords

• Senior welfare services
• Elderly independent living
• Community senior centers
• Caregiver support services
• Home support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Soest

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Government Funding: Approximately 60% of SWOS activities are financed through a contract/quote arrangement with the municipality of Soest.
2. Participant Contributions: 40% of revenue comes from contributions paid by participants for activities and services, including meal services, activity fees, and transportation contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SWOS is a welfare foundation that delivers practical support, expert advisory services, and social/communal activities to seniors aged 65+ in the municipality of Soest and Soesterberg (Netherlands), enabling them to remain living independently at home for as long as possible. Core offerings include meal delivery (Maaltijden), door-to-door transport and senior bus service, personal alarm systems (Personenalarmering), household and garden help, caregiver support (Mantelzorgondersteuning), elder advisory services (Ouderenadvies), exercise brokerage (Beweegmakelaar), and a network of three physical meeting centers hosting clubs, exercise groups, dining programs, and cultural outings.

Product overview

SWOS is a welfare foundation providing comprehensive services to support seniors in the municipality of Soest and Soesterberg in living independently at home for as long as possible. The organization operates three meeting centers (Ontmoetingscentra) and offers a portfolio of practical support services including personal alarm systems (Personenalarmering), meal delivery (Maaltijden), door-to-door transport, and home technology guidance (Thuistechnologie). Expert advisory services are provided through elderly advisors (Ouderenadvies), exercise brokers (Beweegmakelaars), and caregiver support (Mantelzorgondersteuning). The Activiteitengids documents all available courses, clubs, and activities including exercise groups, dining programs like Tafelgenoten and SeniorenDis, games, bingo, and cultural outings such as Museummaatje. The Signaalpunt initiative enables community members to report concerns about vulnerable neighbors. The organization is supported by over 300 volunteers and financed through municipal contracts and participant contributions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Praktische Hulp (Practical Support Services) Comprehensive suite of practical support services enabling seniors to live independently, including Contactcirkel (contact circle), door-to-door transport, tandem bike and riksja services, administrative assistance, tax return help, small household chores, meal delivery coordination, personal alarm systems, and garden maintenance.
• Maaltijden (Meal Delivery Service) Meal delivery and dining service providing hot and cooled meals to seniors who can no longer prepare their own meals, with delivery by volunteers who also provide social interaction. Also operates in-meeting-center dining programs such as Tafelgenoten (weekly three-course dinners) and Samen Eten lunches.
• Personenalarmering (Personal Alarm System) Personal alarm system service providing seniors with emergency response capabilities, allowing them to summon help when needed for safety and peace of mind while living independently at home.
• Deur tot deur Vervoer / Seniorenbus (Door-to-Door Transport) Door-to-door transportation service and Seniorenbus (senior bus) enabling elderly residents to travel to appointments and activities, with volunteer drivers providing mobility support.
• Ontmoetingscentra (Meeting Centers) Three meeting centers offering social activities, recreation, and community engagement for seniors, with facilities for events, exercise, games, and dining. Each center is staffed by a dedicated coordinator (Misja Oliemans at de Klarinet, Anja van Vliet at Klaarwater, Dolores van Enkhuijzen at Soesterberg).
• Deskundig Advies (Expert Advisory Services) Expert advisory services including elderly advisors providing guidance on living independently, exercise brokers (beweegmakelaars) promoting physical activity and vitality, caregiver support, and friendly home visits (vriendschappelijk huisbezoek) to combat loneliness.
• Mantelzorgondersteuning (Caregiver Support) Support services for informal caregivers (mantelzorgers) including information, advice, guidance, and coordination of caregiver activities within the municipality of Soest, provided by dedicated mantelzorgconsulenten.
• Museummaatje (Museum Companion Program) Museum companion program enabling seniors to visit museums together with a group under volunteer guidance, with outings organized every six weeks including travel by train.
• Thuistechnologie (Home Technology Advisory) Home technology advisory service helping seniors understand and implement assistive technology including digital medication dispensers, smart home devices, tablets, and practical tools to support independent living and combat loneliness.
• Signaalpunt (Community Signal Point) Signal point initiative where residents can report concerns about neighbors or themselves regarding issues like loneliness, neglect, memory problems, caregiver overload, financial worries, or reduced self-reliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Survey shows 94% of respondents interested in using home technology to remain independent longer
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gemeente Soest (Municipality of Soest)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary governmental partner providing approximately 60% of organizational funding through a contracted agreement. The municipality contracts SWOS to deliver welfare services to seniors including practical assistance, advice, and social programs.
• Bibliotheek IdeaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal library partnership where senior digital assistance services transitioned from SWOS Overhees to Bibliotheek Idea, ensuring continued digital literacy support for seniors.
• Netwerk Dementie Baarn-SoestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDementia care network providing case managers who offer guidance and support to seniors with dementia and their families in the Soest region.
• Various Local BusinessesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal businesses sponsor the senior bus and other services, with company names displayed on the seniorenbus. Includes dental practices, wine shops, law firms, coffee companies, physiotherapy practices, and more.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Humanitas: One of the largest Dutch welfare organizations, providing volunteer-driven support across multiple life stages including senior companionship, caregiver relief, and home-based assistance. Comparable to SWOS in mission and volunteer-led service model, but operates nationally across many municipalities.
• Stichting Cordaan: Major Amsterdam-based care organization providing home care, elderly services, and welfare support. Comparable to SWOS in supporting independent living for seniors but operates at much larger scale and with clinical home-care capabilities beyond SWOS's welfare scope.
• Philadelphia Zorg: Large Dutch care provider supporting people with intellectual and physical disabilities, including elderly clients. Comparable in supporting independent living and community participation, though broader in scope and more clinically oriented than SWOS.

Emerging players

• SeniorWeb: Dutch organization providing digital skills training and technology support specifically for seniors. Previously co-delivered digital assistance at SWOS's Overhees meeting center before services moved to Bibliotheek Idea, indicating direct service overlap with SWOS's Thuistechnologie and Digitale Hulp lines.

Direct peers

• Stichting De Zonnebloem: Dutch national welfare foundation supporting elderly and people with physical disabilities through social activities, outings, and volunteer visits. Directly comparable to SWOS's meeting-center-based activities, companionship programs, and volunteer-driven independent-living support.
• Nationaal Ouderenfonds: National Dutch elderly fund funding welfare projects, social activities, and senior support programs across the Netherlands. Comparable to SWOS in elder-services mission and activity programming, though operating at national scale via project funding rather than direct local service delivery.
• Vier het Leven: Dutch national foundation arranging cultural outings, theater visits, and museum trips for seniors, often accompanied by volunteers. Directly comparable to SWOS's Museummaatje program and its broader mission of combating senior loneliness through organized activities.
• Mezzo: Dutch national association supporting informal caregivers (mantelzorgers) through advice, training, and advocacy. Directly comparable to SWOS's Mantelzorgondersteuning service line and shared target of enabling seniors to remain at home.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/swosoest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stichting-welzijn-ouderen-soest

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stichting Welzijn Ouderen Soest